Oppression Theories

WHEN: February 20, 2015

Oppression Theories
“One Cannot Resolve What Is Not Acknowledged”
Description
Oppression Theories provide a framework for understanding power and privilege and the intersectionality of class, race, gender, self and group identity within the context of social work practice. Reflective exercise will be offered such that participants can begin to explore their personal biases and stereotypes that can affect the understanding of human behavior and dynamic in the practitioner-client relationship. Readings from Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed will be introduced as a framework for understanding oppression on a systemic level (macro) and in the context on the practitioner-client relationship (micro).
Learning Objectives
• Define social justice, economic security, equality as well as oppression.
• Identify the (7) core concepts as posited by Paulo Freire.
• Define the term ‘praxis’ as conceptualized by Paulo Freire.
• Apply Freirian thought as a catalyst for change within multi-social system levels (i.e. the practitioners’ organization, social policy, government
institutions, etc.)
• Identify the role(s) played by human behavior in the social environment.
• Identify ways clients, social workers, social agencies and social movements can promote justice and equality and to assuage oppression.
• Identify the impact of privilege and oppression and the potential power dynamics of race, sex, class, heteronormativity, ability, age, and religion in the context of how the dynamics of oppression impact the human developmental process.
• Explore personal biases and stereotypes that can affect the understanding of human behavior and change and the practitioner-client relationship.